Prosecutors argue that the former Charleston, South Carolina banker gave four would-be assassins (one of which was his mistress) a $US5,000 downpayment and a folder on his wife with photos, her daily schedule, and divorce hearing documents.

The alleged plot came tumbling down when one of the four, Russell Wilkinson, got pulled over in a traffic stop with a gun in the car — and dished about the plan to murder Latham’s wife, Nancy.

According to Nancy, Latham devised the plot in order to hide his relationship with his former Secretary and girlfriend, Wendy Moore.

Another alleged accomplice hanged himself in his jail cell in June. The other three have pleaded not guilty.

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